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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Give Me The Night” by George Benson features a smooth jazz and funk-influenced style. The chord progression in Verse 3 demonstrates a strong use of extended and altered chords, which create a richer texture and interesting harmonic movement. This particular chord progression is reminiscent of other popular songs from the same period and genre, displaying the influence of jazz harmony on contemporary R&B and pop music.

“Give Me The Night” is a classic R&B and jazz-infused song by George Benson, released in 1980. The song was written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones. It features a smooth, soulful groove, lush harmonies, and a sophisticated chord progression that is characteristic of the late 70s and early 80s R&B and jazz fusion style. The verse of the song makes use of diatonic chords with a few borrowed chords, giving the progression a rich and interesting harmonic content.

The chord progression of Verse 1 from Radiohead’s “Motion Picture Soundtrack” features a fairly simple harmony with some unique embellishments. The common use of suspended chords and added extensions give the progression its distinctive atmosphere and modern sound.

The song “The Outsider” by A Perfect Circle frequently uses the chord progression [‘B’, ‘B’, ‘A’, ‘E’] in the key of E major. When viewing the chords through the lens of E major we can identify the chord progression as ii, ii, V, I. Furthermore, It shows some interesting harmonic decisions throughout. Most notably, the band makes use of borrowed chords which are chords taken from the parallel minor (in this case E minor). Here, the borrowed chords include A major and C major.

The Sound Of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1964, is a solid example of folk rock genre transitioning into what we now know as classic rock. The chord progression is straightforward yet powerful, and it perfectly complements the beautifully written lyrics and evocative vocal harmonies. Furthermore, the song is written in A minor, a key that is often associated with sadness, which enhances the melancholic and introspective feelings conveyed by the lyrics.

George Benson – Give Me The Night – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7

Chord Progression Analysis

(Db Major Scale: Db – Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – C – Db)

Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Fm7 (iiim7), Bbm7 (vim7), Cm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Db parallel minor), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Fm7 (iiim7), Bbm7 (vim7), Cm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Db parallel minor), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Fm7 (iiim7), Bbm7 (vim7), Cm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Db parallel minor), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Fm7 (iiim7), Bbm7 (vim7), Cm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Db parallel minor), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7)

“`Cm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Db parallel minor)“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Stevie Wonder – “Knocks Me Off My Feet”:
Dmaj7 (Imaj7), F#m7 (iiim7), Bm7 (vim7), Em9 (IIm9), A9 (V9)

2. Earth, Wind & Fire – “September”:
Abmaj7 (Imaj7), Cm7 (iiim7), Fm7 (vim7), Gm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Ab parallel minor), Abmaj7 (Imaj7)

Though these songs have different keys, each displays the use of diatonic major 7th, minor 7th, and borrowed chords within their progressions, showcasing elements of jazz, R&B, and funk.

Musical Analysis

The verse chord progression primarily consists of diatonic chords Imaj7, iiim7, and vim7. The progression starts with a tonic Dbmaj7 chord before moving to Fm7 (the mediant chord), and to Bbm7 (the submediant chord), implying a smooth harmonic motion. However, the appearance of the borrowed Cm7 chord, which is sourced from the parallel minor (Db minor), adds harmonic interest and tension before being restored to the tonic chord.

Overall Analysis

“Give Me The Night” is a jazz-funk composition with a rich harmonic texture and a catchy melody. It was produced by Quincy Jones and released in 1980. The verse chord progression of this piece features a series of diatonic seventh chords, with one borrowed chord from a parallel minor key, which are common to the jazz and R&B styles.

Style Analysis

George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” exhibits typical features of jazz, R&B, and funk music genres. The use of extended chords like major and minor 7ths, along with the inclusion of a borrowed chord, implies rich harmonic texture, similar to typical jazz and R&B songs from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The syncopated rhythm and catchy instrumental hook additionally lends itself to aspects of funk.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Give Me The Night by George Benson are:

Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7